Newbie wants a new 223 bolt action rifle - where to start?

[Patos]

I currently have a Rem 700 Varmint 223 (2003 model) 12 or 14 twist, heavy barrel. Punch paper at 300 yards and a few groundhogs. Would like to purchase a new, "higher tech" bolt action rifle to go out to 5-600 yards. Don't shoot competition, other than just with buddies at our club. I don't want to be without/modify my existing rifle...........where do I start? Budget would be up to ~$2000, without optics. Should I just buy a 700 action and have it trued, barreled and stocked, or buy a Cooper, or buy a Savage??......need suggestions please. I do reload. Am located in North Carolina......are any builders around me? I really like the 223 due to lack of recoil.

I realize that this is a rather broad and vague question.......but I figured this was a good place to ask for help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Phil]

If feeding is not a concern i would do a .223AI and have a reamer ground to your specifications.

I`d personally throat it for the 75gr. bullets and have at it.

Rem. 700 with a MBR style stock and an 8 twist barrel,should be a fun project.


Good luck.

 

[Cort]

You will have close to the price of a custom action in a Remington 700 after you buy the action and have it trued. Consequently, you might consider a custom action rather than the 700. Everything else is exactly the same cost so either way you will have a very nice rifle when you're finished.

Cort

 

[DogBuster]

New Savage Target action...(large shank)...either buy or build a custom barrel......I like Pac-Nor....caliber of your choice.......223AI w/8 twist or maybe even a hot rod 20 Practical or a 20-222....twist of course depends on your bullet choice....Lapua brass is easy for any of the three..the 20's are fast & flat ! No problem with dies either.....

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Cant go wrong with Cooper varmit...Upscale semi factory, lower tier custom bullet proof dependability.

 

[MarkS]

I with Cort on the tuned Remy, go custom. I feel the same for the Cooper. Look for used custom, I have 2, saves you lots of money.

Also I am with Dogbuster, I have Savage LRPV with a 223AI Criterion Match Grade 8 tw barrel shooting 80gr Berger's. It is very accurate gun. I have shot steel past 1000yds, clays are a chip shot at 500yds. A 223 fast twist gun is a load of fun to shoot long range. The 223 AI does not give you much over a 223. I shoot red hot max 223 loads in the 223AI chamber, works great. I also have a 20TAC barrel for the gun.
You can also change the bolthead on a Savage, and go up to a mag if you want.
Mark Schronce

 

[muddy72]

Does this appeal to you? I'm about to list a Savage Target Dual Port/Pac-Nor .223AI 1-8" twist barreled action for sale. Chambered for the 75 Amax and similar projectiles. Has 1 test shot that's it, otherwise all new. PM me if interested and I'll get back as soon as I can.

 

[MrMajestic]

If you are looking at Chucks at the 5-600 yard range you are going to have trouble anchoring them with a .223 or AI. Oh you'll kill them but you better hope their hole isn't too close! I really would recommend a 6MM if you want to kill at this distance.

 

[Jeff A]

New Savage Target action...(large shank)...either buy or build a custom barrel......I like Pac-Nor....caliber of your choice.......223AI w/8 twist or maybe even a hot rod 20 Practical or a 20-222....twist of course depends on your bullet choice....Lapua brass is easy for any of the three..the 20's are fast & flat ! No problem with dies either.....

I am doing this as well. Bought a Savage PTA and ordered 2 barrels. One is a Shilen in .223 and the other is a Krieger 6.5 mm which I will have chambered in 6.5 X 47 Lapua. My thought was that if I wanted to try a new caliber I could just change barrels. That way I don't have to pay for the stock and optic every time I want to do something new. The most difficult part is choosing a workable stock thar is compatable with the screw spacing of the Savage action. Savage seems to have a problem deciding what the action screw spacing should be.

I also have a Cooper in 6mm. Very accurate rifle and so pretty I'm afraid to use it.

 

[Patos]

Thanks for the responses and PMs guys. I have a place to start now and think that I will stick with a regular 223 caliber/chamber/action. Just need to find one. Brunos has lots of PPC actions (I think), but don't see any 223.

Do you guys do all this barrel changing and chamber reaming, stock bedding yourselves? Part of my concern with ordering a custom rifle is waiting a year to get one....maybe not so long in 223. I am not very do it yourself oriented. I'll keep an eye on the for sale thread here.

And you are correct about the groundhogs....I wouldn't/don't even attempt them past 250-300 yards with my 223. Can't stand to have them crawl off. The 300-500 yard stuff would be paper.

 

[Cort]

You can assemble a Savage action, stock and barrel yourself with the right tools. A couple of vendors are now offering barrels with the barrel nut option like a Savage for Remington actions. Jim Briggs with Northland Shooters Supply is one. There are more aftermarket parts available for Remington 700 actions. I talked to Russ at Stiller Precision Firearms last week. He indicated that he had several Predator actions available for delivery. Assembling a Remington 700 would be the same as assembling a Savage but with easier to find parts. If you want a full custom rifle, then you should first find a Smith who has the parts (or can get the parts) and can build a rifle for you.

Another option would be to look for a used rifle here on the forum that meets your requirements.

Cort

 

[drover]

For a nice looking rifle that shoots well a Cooper Varminter should be in your consideration. Good used ones can be had for around $1200 - $1400 and new ones for a few hundred more. They come with a 3-shot one-half inch group guarantee, have decent triggers and do not need anything done to them except to scope them and go shooting. Go to gunsamerica.com or gunbroker.com and you will find quite a few listed, as long as you avoid the ones with lots of upgraded options they can be had in the price range noted above. If you watch carefully some very nice wood can be found on the standard grade ones, they are also available with a synthetic stock if that is more to your liking.

I have purchased quite a few from First Stop Guns of Rapid City, SD and have always been happy with their service and prices. Their inventory is listed on gunsamerica.com or you can give them a call and ask to speak to Mark Blote, he is their Cooper guru.

drover

 

[dreever]

I use a Remington 700 PSS it's a nine twist. Only difference from a standard 700 is the stock, Parkerized metal finish and 9 twist. It really likes 70 gr Berger VLD's but 69 gr Sierra's shoot almost as well. Using 2520 which goes thru the powder measure like water. Very consistant powder.

Danny

 

[DOGCAPPER]

If you want custom "now" look in Benchrest Classified . Some nice varmit custom and top tier factory..Reasonable.LT

 

[XTR]

If you are looking for a single shot 223 hammer I think I took a pretty good route.

Savage F class rifle $900 used
dump the used 6.5-284 barrel (-125)

in for $775

New Bolt from Midway $125, or just get a bolt face for cheaper. (I have 2 bolts in case I decide to put a 308 on it)

Buy McGowan prefit bull or varmint barrel with Wylde chamber $299 (they sell 7/8/9 twist barrels)

In for $1200

Bedded myself Figure the Devcon kit cost me $50, (it will do lots of guns)

Now you're in for about $1300 total and you've got a stock that was made to ride the bag. Last test mine was shooting 1" or less at 300 yards w/o doing seating depth tests yet.

I got a hand throater from PT&G $99 with t handle. I shoot 90s for 600 yard F-TR.
Go/no go gauges $65

Edit: personally unless you want to end up with two 223s I'd buy a barrel and have it mounted on your Remington and have it bedded and trued at the same time. You're into it for another $700 and you don't have two rifles to do the same thing

 

[Patos]

More good food for thought..........thanks everyone.

 

[bobcat93]

On my last build I found out it will routinely Cost more to have a stock rifle trued up, custom barrel installed and chambered, new trigger..when I can have a custom rifle built by one of the leading custom action makers..I have also considered coopers of Montana they can build what your looking for and I believe they turn out a very nice product. If a stock rifle in a gun shop is rated as a 1 and a custom f- tr rifle is rated as a 10 .I believe cooper is about 7/8.. Very nice rifle there lead time last I talk to them was 3/6 months.. and there priced kind of in your range depending on what you order..just my opinion ..I believe that 99% of the individuas I have talked to in the custom rifle business were outstanding at what they do. I have yet to receive poor customer service ..and the time people have taken with me explaining there product was impressive. Many American manufacturers could take a good lesson from these individuals I think building a rifle is a fun process from talking to the smiths, barrel makers, service tecs. To receiving just what you want and how you want it.

 

[Double Draw]

Not sure if you are interested but my brother has a custom 22-250 BAT action, Shehane stock and fluted barrel with 400 rounds down the tube for $2500. PM me if interested and I can put you in touch with him.

 

[K22]

If you are looking at Chucks at the 5-600 yard range you are going to have trouble anchoring them with a .223 or AI. Oh you'll kill them but you better hope their hole isn't too close! I really would recommend a 6MM if you want to kill at this distance.

Agree - a 243 with the 85 grain Sierra BTHP would be my first choice. Second choice would be a 22 250.

 

[Shynloco]

Patos,
IMHO, there's no way you are going to build a nice accurate shooting rifle for $2000, (without glass) if you start from scratch and build up NEW. I'm doing one in a different caliber right now and I'm in already for $2700 without glass and that's just guessing on what my Gunsmith charges are going to be. The Savages are great and again in IMHO are the most accurate OUT OF THE BOX rifles on the market today. I'd go that route if you are trying to stay in budget. An alternative is to buy a nice used rifle and have it rebarreled and go from there. Just my thoughts.